Chicago Heights, IL: 144 Violations - Home Safety 58/100
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Chicago Heights: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Chicago Heights shows moderate tap water quality for IL - some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Chicago Heights Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Chicago Heights Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 144 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0055 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.18.
Water Systems Serving Chicago Heights
Multiple utilities divide Chicago Heights, IL's water service - 3 leading providers among 5 on the federal register.
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Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Chicago Heights, Illinois, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 52,395 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chicago Heights: C (58/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Chicago Heights water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0055 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 80 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 40 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60411 | C | 144 | 0 | Chicago Heights |
All ZIP Codes in Chicago Heights
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Chicago Heights
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Chicago Heights
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Chicago Heights: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Chicago Heights comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Chicago Heights are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the Illinois average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Chicago Heights
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Chicago Heights appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Chicago Heights
Historical NFIP data for Chicago Heights contains 203 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $3,147. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$1,000</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Chicago Heights
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Chicago Heights's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chicago Heights, IL